Jump to content

Slam dunk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 24.34.51.102 (talk) at 09:09, 5 March 2006 (→‎Notable NBA dunkers). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the term, "slam dunk". For the manga, see Slam Dunk (manga).


File:Aircanada v.jpg
Vince Carter with a one-handed "Tomahawk"

Slam Dunk is a term coined by Chick Hearn.

A "slam dunk" is performed in basketball when a player manually guides the ball through the rim grabbing the rim shortly after the ball passes through the cylinder. This is a standard shot worth 2 points. There are many ways to accomplish this and players are constantly coming up with new dunks or modifying existing ones. Slam dunk contests have become very popular at the high school, college and professional level, although the most popular one remains the Slam dunk contest held during the annual All-Star break. Dunking was briefly banned in the NCAA from 1967 to 1978, some have attributed that original regulation to the dominance of then college phenom Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then called Lew Alcindor) upon his entry into the NCAA. (Thus, the no-dunking rule is sometimes referred to as the "Lew Alcindor Rule"). The Slam Dunk is one of the highest percentage field goals one can attempts in basketball. Variations on the term slam dunk include, "Jam", "Slam", "Flush", "Stuff", and "Throw-down".

Dunks in the NBA

There is no doubt that the NBA has greatly influenced basketball across the world, and there is no doubt that the dunk has greatly influenced the NBA. Year after year, players jump higher, further, and gain longer hangtime. NBA players are considered some of the best athletes in the world, and often demonstrate their talents as they glide through the air on the way to the hoop. Dunks are a staple of the NBA. The popularity of the dunk will continue to spread around the world as the NBA does.

A slam dunk in the NBA is generally regarded as one of the more sure ways of converting a field goal. It is also a way a player may demoralize the opposing team as well as creating more energy for the crowd.

In the NBA's female equivalent, the WNBA, there has been only one known dunk. That honor goes to Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks, although she did attempt a dunk (and badly missed) in the first-ever WNBA game, when her Sparks played the New York Liberty.

Notable NBA dunkers

Guards

Forwards

Centers

Use of "Slam Dunk" off the Court

The word slam dunk is often used outside of basketball, usually to signify success or something that is easily accomplished. For example, one could say "this case is a slam dunk", or, "that was a slam dunk performance".


Criticism Of Slam Dunking

Though slam dunks are entertaining, now and then there is some criticism from some of the true experts of the game of basketball. Many think that dunks are "just for show" and should be considered as cheating since the player seems to not let go of the basketball and point guards and pure shooters are the only true scorers of the game. There is also debate over how many points should be given for a slam-dunk. It also leads to questions of a player's abilities of whether he's a good overall player or is just entertaining the fans. Most of this talk has been silenced since the institution of the Slam Dunk Contest and the influx of high school players into the NBA.

Trivia

There is a Japanese manga and anime series titled Slam Dunk. As suggested by the title, it features basketball players.

Smooth jazz saxophonist Euge Groove charted in 2003 with his Canadian hit "Slam Dunk."

See also

Slam Dunk Contest

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Slam_dunk&oldid=42319065"